Friday things
Yay, dinner with a wad of friends!
So, today I joined a new training class, as the one I've been with all week is now beginning the licensing portion of the training and the December class is just finishing that part, so I got to join them instead of sitting around for a month waiting for the training class I came in with to pass their exams.
Anyway.
So the trainer decided we should do an icebreaker (I hate these wretched things, for the record 'cos I always look stupid in them). The one she was using today was "I'm throwing a party, and I want all of you to bring the music! Tell me what album you'd bring with you."
Shit.
So I am madly trying to think of something to say that a) is middle of the road, b) not wretchedly embarrassing and c) won't inspire them to hit the webbernets trying to find out about whatever band I mention. But I am at the back of the room, since everyone else already had their seats.
Of course.
So every one goes and sez all the things I can think of that are middle of the road (The Beatles, Steve Miller Band, Sinatra) and a bunch of new-country stuff (Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Grethen Wilson).
And my brain goes blank.
Completely and utterly blank. I've got a thousand CDs in my collection, and all I can think is "White Zombie" but I know that is not the right thing to say.
So TrainerChick sez "And, Pave! What music would you bring to my party?"
And what comes out of my mouth?
"Balkan Beat Box."
All heads in the room swivel as though on a connected pully, and Trainer Chick walks halfway down the aisle with her head cocked. Confusion rules every face in the room, and TrainerChick sez "... I don't think I've ever heard of that."
[cue my head hitting my open palm]
Seriously. What the fuck possessed my mouth to form those words? I have no idea. I've never even really listened to Balkan Beat Box, expect in passing at Bonnaroo. So, that wa my moment of utter insanity at work. Aren't you glad you're not me?
So there was that.
On the other hand, the guy I was phone-shadowing for the last two days thinks I am awesome 'cos I knew more about retirement planning than he did (well, DUH. He's been with the company for longer, but I've been in the industry much longer. Is it all that shocking that I know a Tradtitional IRA contribution is not tax-deductable if you have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan? Not really). Also 'cos he had a call today from an elderly gentleman who had speech difficuties and I was able to tell him what the guy was wanting so the call was actually useful to him. So that was nice.
Tomorrow's plans include stopping by to see 155metrocard and bloodkitty before heading out to Mary Jo's with a wad of ppl and then Pan's Labyrinth at Phillip's Place at 7:30 with a wad of people. w00t! I was gonna paint the bathroom with a second coat since it's supposed to not be crap weather, but I think this sounds like much more fun, don't you?
So, today I joined a new training class, as the one I've been with all week is now beginning the licensing portion of the training and the December class is just finishing that part, so I got to join them instead of sitting around for a month waiting for the training class I came in with to pass their exams.
Anyway.
So the trainer decided we should do an icebreaker (I hate these wretched things, for the record 'cos I always look stupid in them). The one she was using today was "I'm throwing a party, and I want all of you to bring the music! Tell me what album you'd bring with you."
Shit.
So I am madly trying to think of something to say that a) is middle of the road, b) not wretchedly embarrassing and c) won't inspire them to hit the webbernets trying to find out about whatever band I mention. But I am at the back of the room, since everyone else already had their seats.
Of course.
So every one goes and sez all the things I can think of that are middle of the road (The Beatles, Steve Miller Band, Sinatra) and a bunch of new-country stuff (Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Grethen Wilson).
And my brain goes blank.
Completely and utterly blank. I've got a thousand CDs in my collection, and all I can think is "White Zombie" but I know that is not the right thing to say.
So TrainerChick sez "And, Pave! What music would you bring to my party?"
And what comes out of my mouth?
"Balkan Beat Box."
All heads in the room swivel as though on a connected pully, and Trainer Chick walks halfway down the aisle with her head cocked. Confusion rules every face in the room, and TrainerChick sez "... I don't think I've ever heard of that."
[cue my head hitting my open palm]
Seriously. What the fuck possessed my mouth to form those words? I have no idea. I've never even really listened to Balkan Beat Box, expect in passing at Bonnaroo. So, that wa my moment of utter insanity at work. Aren't you glad you're not me?
So there was that.
On the other hand, the guy I was phone-shadowing for the last two days thinks I am awesome 'cos I knew more about retirement planning than he did (well, DUH. He's been with the company for longer, but I've been in the industry much longer. Is it all that shocking that I know a Tradtitional IRA contribution is not tax-deductable if you have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan? Not really). Also 'cos he had a call today from an elderly gentleman who had speech difficuties and I was able to tell him what the guy was wanting so the call was actually useful to him. So that was nice.
Tomorrow's plans include stopping by to see 155metrocard and bloodkitty before heading out to Mary Jo's with a wad of ppl and then Pan's Labyrinth at Phillip's Place at 7:30 with a wad of people. w00t! I was gonna paint the bathroom with a second coat since it's supposed to not be crap weather, but I think this sounds like much more fun, don't you?